Course Details
Awarding Body: Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC National in Medical Science (Extended Certificate)
Staff Contacts: Miss J Lightfoot JeLightfoot@quarrydale.notts.sch.uk
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Key features of the course
The qualification has three mandatory units covering the following topics:
- Human Physiology, Anatomy and Pathology – Human body systems, cell ultrastructure, and how substances are transported
- Health Issues and Scientific Reporting – The immune system, its dysfunction and genetic technologies; the validity and reliability of information used in health science reporting
- Practical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases – Methods of pathogenicity and infectious agents, growth of microorganisms and health and safety in a laboratory environment.
Students then do one of the following optional units:
- Diseases, Disorders, Treatments and Therapies – Principles of physiological diseases and disorders and their associated drug and medicine development
- Biomedical Science – Biomedical science techniques and their clinical application
- Human Reproduction and Fertility – Reproductive science including causes of infertility and associated impacts on health and well-being.
Entry Requirements:
5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above (including English and Maths) and Separate Sciences Grade 4 or above, or Combined Science Grade 4 – 4 or above.
What could this course lead on to?
This qualification can lead to progression to several degrees for example:
- BSc (Hons) Nursing
- BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science
- BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
Level 3 BTEC’s are also an excellent qualification for acceptance onto higher level apprenticeships.
What knowledge and skills will the student develop?
- Knowledge and understanding of human physiology, anatomy and pathology.
- Secondary research skills including collection and interpretation of data from valid sources and drawing reasoned conclusions.
- Practical skills in microbiology and their application in the diagnosis of disease.
- Knowledge and understanding of specialist areas relating to infectious disease transmission, biomedical science and human reproduction and fertility.
- The core and specialist medical science knowledge, understanding and skills that students develop create a good foundation for transition to related degrees.
- Skills such as critical thinking and independent learning help students to be better prepared for the self-directed learning approach used in higher education and become more open-minded to learning.
What type of student is this course suitable for?
This course is designed for post-16 students with an interest in science and aiming to progress to higher education as a route to graduate level employment. Equivalent to one A level in size, it is suitable for students looking to develop their applied knowledge and skills in science alongside two other level 3 qualifications (one of which can be the AAQ in Applied Science).
Assessment Structure
| Title | Style of Assessment | |
| Unit one | Principles of Human Physiology, Anatomy and Pathology | An external examination set and marked by Pearson. • 80 marks |
| Unit Two | Health Issues and Scientific Reporting | An external examination set and marked by Pearson. • 80 marks |
| Unit Three | Practical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases | Internally assessed units are assessed by a Pearson Set Assignment Brief (PSAB), which is set by Pearson, |
| Unit Four | Optional unit | Internally assessed units are assessed by a Pearson Set Assignment Brief (PSAB), which is set by Pearson, |